News & Events

High Street makeover plans get underway for the
Town Centre Public Realm Improvement competition
Maidstone High Street is set for a comprehensive makeover.
 
Maidstone Borough Council has challenged the country’s top architects to come up with plans to improve and regenerate one of the county town’s most important areas.
 
The Town Centre Public Realm Improvement competition will be managed by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). It is hoped the competition will attract a wide range of innovative ideas to enhance Maidstone as Kent’s county town and reflect the 24/7 economy of the town centre.
 
The competition will take part in two stages with six designs shortlisted on the final round. Entrants will work alongside architects, landscape architects, artists, transport planners, and engineers to ensure a deliverable scheme.
 
Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Cllr Malcolm Greer explains: “The council is looking for practical designs with emphasis on manageable life-time and maintenance costs, and environmental sustainability. The winning design will be judged for clarity and simplicity.
 
“This is an exciting time for the town and we hope the competition will have great interest among professionals and also be of an interest to the people who use the town on a regular basis.”
 
The winning design will also have to demonstrate that it s suitable for the whole of the town centre. It will have to make the river the focal point, and it must maintain and enhance links to the historic parts of the town centre.

  
 
Mental Health Services — tell us your experiences
Councillors from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Borough Councils will spend the next three months reviewing mental health services across the boroughs.
 
In particular, members will be comparing NHS services with private services, from in-patient facilities to counselling and therapy services. 
 
The councils would like to hear from residents in the areas about their experiences with any of these services — both good and bad. 
 
Have you experienced an exceptional service from an NHS, voluntary or private organisation?  Did you receive the care you needed?  How could services be improved? Any experiences you share with us will remain anonymous, and will be used to inform a report that will be submitted to mental healthcare providers in the boroughs to help inform their service development.
 
The working group will not have formal powers, but will be able to make recommendations and highlight issues to encourage providers to make improvements.		  
 

Cabinet Roadshow
Please download an update from the Cabinet Roadshow

  
 
 
Walking to a healthier Maidstone
Cabinet member Marion Ring and Cllr Mike FitzGerald put their best foot forward on Tuesday (November 4) for the launch of a new health walk in Parkwood.
 
In an effort to encourage the benefits of walking Cllr Ring and Cllr FitzGerald met at the Healthy Living Centre on the estate and from there went on a gentle walk in and around the area.
 
Walking can make you feel more positive, allows you to meet new people and improves your health. Health Walks, which last between half an hour and an hour, gives people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to walk in a friendly, safe environment for free while highlighting and promoting the numerous benefits walking can offer. 
 
The walks take place every week throughout the year. The Parkwood walk takes place every Tuesday at 1pm, meeting at the Healthy Living Centre. For a full programme of Health Walks in Maidstone contact Paula Hubens on 01424 446395 or email p.hubens@btcv.org.uk
 		  
 
Business dream kept afloat thanks to council leader
A proposal for a floating restaurant and a gondola on the River Medway in Maidstone has been given a green light subject to conditions.    
 
If planning permission is granted and the Environment Agency gives approval Maidstone’s river banks could soon resemble a scene from Italy.
 
James Bailey, who operates Little Venice Boats, also wants to operate a Peter Pan vessel.
 
Mr Bailey has consulted other river users, produced a risk assessment and looked at possible locations for his proposals. The consultation flagged up concerns about anti-social behaviour and inexperienced river users. It also highlighted the need to safeguard space for the Kentish Lady and the Allington Belle boats that already use the river.  
 
Maidstone Borough Council leader, Cllr Chris Garland, decided that on balance the proposals could be beneficial.  He said: “I could have chosen not to agree to the proposal. But this could have detracted from the council’s aim of encouraging more use and community enjoyment of the River Medway. These proposals could potentially bring a new vibrancy to the river and encourage more tourism to that side of town.” river and encourage more tourism to that side of town.”		  
 
Goodies catch the baddies in Operation Lasso
Eight arrests, seven vehicle prohibitions, seven investigations, two insurance offences and one vehicle seizure was the result of Operation Lasso.
 
Maidstone Borough Council roped in partners to help with the early morning crack-down on Wednesday (October 29), which resulted in cowboy traders and a van full of illegal immigrants being caught.
 
Throughout the three hours of vehicle stopping the Department for Work and Pensions is now investigating four people for benefit fraud. During the morning’s scrutiny VOSA stopped seven vehicles for defects on cars such as tyres and lights.
 
Maidstone police seized one vehicle, caught two people for insurance offences and investigating one person further about road safety issues. The biggest success of the morning was for the UK Border Agency, who helped with eight arrests of a van full of illegal immigrants. The arrests happened just before 9am at the Kent County showground at Detling, where the operation was based.
 
Maidstone council’s Environmental Enforcement team, who were also present, have two investigations into waste carriers’ licensing issues to follow up.
 
Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Mark Wooding, said:  “The multi-agency crack-downs are sending out a message to fly tippers and cowboy contractors that they cannot operate outside of the law in Maidstone. They will be caught and they will feel the full weight of the law. We are committed to turning the tide against those who disfigure the countryside with illegal fly tipping. Make no mistake — Operation Lasso is here to stay.”
 
In addition to the unlimited fines that can be imposed for fly tipping, failure to register as a waste carrier can result in a fine of up to £5,000.  For anyone who wants to register as a waste carrier can visit www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/legislation/duty.htm		  
 
Dedicated allotment holder wins £50 voucher
Thanks to taking a bit of time to complete a Maidstone Borough Council allotment survey, keen gardener, Revis Spillane now has a £50 B&Q voucher to spend.
 
The voucher was presented to Revis, better known to his friends as Mick, on Wednesday (September 17) at his allotment patch at the back of South Park.
 
The 76-year-old of Heather Drive, Maidstone was one of 174 people who filled out the council’s questionnaire. He said: “By filling out the survey you get a chance to say what you think. I have been taking care of the allotment for about 30 years and I do get a fair bit of produce from it. It’s a rewarding and healthy habit.” Mr Spillane has rented the site for almost 30 years and between March and September spends about 20 hours a week at the allotment.
 
The survey found that even if people have a garden at home, they still like to have the allotment to grow fruit and vegetables and meet like-minded people. People liked their allotment to be less than 15 minutes from home and the majority of plot holders like to be there nearly every day in the growing season.
Nobody who filled out the survey is thinking of giving up their allotment, some could do with a bigger patch and almost a quarter of those who responded have had their allotment for more than 15 years.
 
The survey had 18 questions and this is the first time it has been carried out.
 
Cabinet member for leisure and culture, Cllr Brian Moss said: “It’s really encouraging to see so many people have responded to our survey. It means we can use the results to improve our service to allotment holders. I am pleased our borough’s allotments are so popular and are well-kept by the keen people who look after them.”		  
 
Competition winners congratulated by Mayor
On Friday, October 31at 2pm in the Temporary Reception, upper floor of the Mall Chequers. The Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Denise Joy, will be presenting prizes to the winners of the competitions ran during the recent National Customer Service Week (NCSW) at Maidstone Borough Council. 
 
The event arranged by the council ran from October 6 to October 12 to raise awareness of customer service and the vital role it plays within the organisation.  
It was also a chance for staff at the council to say a big thank you to its customers for their continuing support.
 
The presentation by the Mayor is the culminating part of a series of events that took place across the council, in the temporary reception in the Mall Chequers, the Town Hall, Maidstone Museum and the Hazlitt Arts Centre.
 
Residents of the borough were given the opportunity to have their say via a suggestion box, and people were able to nominate a member of staff who has been particularly helpful for a Customer Service Award. The award was won by Helen Goldsmith from the reception team, with Caroline Rose from the Hazlitt, a close runner up.
 
Other activities included a Where’s Wally competition for children up to the age of 16, which was won by Alfie Gould, who won a family ticket to see this year’s panto - Jack and the Beanstalk.
 
Customers were also asked to guess how many customers the council would serve during NCSW. The telephone team served 3,600 and reception staff served 1,219 people, making the total of customers served throughout the week 4,819. The closest guess was by Carol Pickup who will be presented with a hamper from Marks and Spencer. 		  
 
Will you be picked to take part in the
council’s place survey?
One lucky resident will win £500, courtesy of Maidstone Borough Council’s sponsor The Mall, Maidstone, by simply saying what they think about life in Maidstone.
 
A random sample of 5,000 people will be asked to take part in the new ‘Place Survey’ in October. Residents will be asked what it’s like to live in their area so that the council can make sure it is dealing with the issues that matter most to local people.
 
The questionnaire asks for people’s views about aspects of the quality of life in their area, such as community safety and local services.
 
The findings from this research will be used to see how well Maidstone Borough Council and its partners, like the police and health organisations, are doing at delivering the services that matter to residents and to decide what needs doing differently in the future.
 
The 5,000 residents will be selected randomly to try to get a mix of views from across the whole of Maidstone.
 
As a thank you for their time, everyone who takes part will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win £500 to spend in The Mall Chequers, Maidstone.
 
The Place Survey is a national requirement, which will be carried out by all councils across the country. It replaces the former Best Value surveys, last carried out in 2006 and the new survey will be completed every two years. The council would like to encourage everyone who is sent a survey to have their say. It really will help to make a difference to life in Maidstone.		  
 
Going for gold is the name of the game
at achievement awards
The stopwatch is ticking and the finishing line nearing as the council is urging people to get their nominations in for this year’s Youth Sport Achievement Awards.
 
If you know someone who has made an impression in the world of sport, if they have come on leaps and bounds or if they have just simply reached their goals we want to know who they are.
 
The annual awards ceremony is the biggest celebration of sporting achievement in Maidstone, recognising the borough’s up and coming sporting stars, some of which may be the ones to look out for in 2012.
 
Maidstone Borough Council’s Sports, Play and Youth Development Team is asking families, friends and sport coaches and teachers to nominate young people who have made a sporting improvement, achieved success over the last year, or who have shown a positive attitude towards sport.
The deadline for nominations is December 31, 2008 and the presentation ceremony will be held at Mote Hall, Maidstone Leisure Centre on Friday, January 30, 2008.

 
Individual and team awards are presented in two categories – Junior, for 15 years and under, and Senior, for 16-21 years.  There is also an award for Outstanding Youth Service to Sport (for people under 21), the KM Service to Youth Sport (for those over 21) and the Outstanding Personal Achievement Award, for those athletes that may have difficulties in participating in their chosen sport.  All nominees will be eligible for a training grant, sponsored by The Rotary Club of the Weald of Kent.
 
The awards are sponsored by Serco (Maidstone Leisure Centre), Personnel Health & Safety Consultants, Rotary Club
of the Weald of Kent, Hubble and Freeman, Astor of Hever School Sports Partnership and Mid Kent School Sports Partnership and the Kent Messenger Group.  
 
Anyone interested in nominating an individual or team should contact Sarah Shearsmith for a nomination form on
01622 602222 or email sarahshearsmith@maidstone.gov.uk.
 
Nominations can also be made online at www.digitalmaidstone.co.uk/sports		  
 

National Fraud Initiative
single person council tax discount
 The Audit Commission have requested a copy of various data including the full electoral register and details of council tax discounts from Maidstone Borough Council and all local authorities in order for them to conduct a data matching exercise. This will be securely input directly into the commission’s systems and not sent or put on any portable media to ensure complete security of the data.
 
This will enable the appointed auditor for each local authority to match or compare the two sources of data and to look in particular at discrepancies where the electoral register shows more than one person living in a particular property. This will be compared to see if council tax records show that the person liable for paying council tax is improperly claiming single occupancy discount.
 
Cllr Richard Ash, cabinet member for corporate services said: “We are required by law to supply the information, which will be used to identify potential fraud issues. These issues cost the council and in turn all other council tax payers’ money, which is something we would all wish to avoid.
 
“The council tax data will be provided in October 2008 and the electoral registration information will be sent direct from the Election Office to the Audit Commission via their secure website by the deadline of December 31, 2008. The outcome of the matching exercise will be known shortly after. The data matching exercise will subsequently be carried out on a regular basis.
 
“If residents have any queries regarding the initiative or have recently had a change of circumstances whereby they are no longer entitled to the single person discount , we would ask them to contact Maidstone Borough Council’s Revenues team on 01622 602003 now, before the exercise is started.”

  
 
Fly-tipper prosecuted for disgusting dump
A man has pleaded guilty to fly-tipping a black sack of human faeces.
 
The waste was found in August 2007 by Maidstone Borough Council officers in a watercourse in Darman Lane, Laddingford.
 
This area had been identified as a fly-tipping hot spot and was under surveillance with covert cameras. Footage recorded by the council officers showed the fly-tipper, George Friend, dumping a black bag full of human faeces into a dry ditch on two separate occasions.
 
Mr Friend from Gravesend attended Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on September 4, 2008 and pleaded guilty to both offences. After seeing photographs and footage of the dump, Magistrates fined Mr Friend £300 for each offence, totalling £600 and he was ordered to pay costs of £599 and a victim surcharge of £15.
 
Maidstone Borough Council’s Director of Operations, Alison Broom, said: “This was a particularly offensive example of anti-social behaviour – and it is to the Environmental Enforcement team’s credit that Mr Friend has been brought to book. Keeping the borough clean and tidy and tackling fly-tipping is expensive. On this occasion covert cameras were deployed and surveillance undertaken which identified Mr Friend as the offender. Maidstone Borough Council is strongly committed to reducing fly-tipping and the cost to the council tax payer. Prosecuting offenders and deterring others from fly-tipping is an important part of this strategy.”		  
 
Pedal power raises vital cash for worthy cause
Hospice in the Weald and MacMillan Cancer Support have both benefited from a hefty sum of money thanks to a Maidstone council worker.
 
Alasdair Robertson took part in an 87-mile bike ride on Sunday, September 14 to raise money for his chosen two charities.
 
Almost five hours, 4,933 calories and 47,000 pedal strokes later the head of business improvement at the authority has managed to raise £600 for the cause.
 
The 37-year-old from Yalding said: “The ride was comfortable and great to be with 700 other riders all of whom were encouraging and supporting each other. I was delighted to meet the goal time of less than four hours and 45 minutes with less than two minutes to spare.”
 
The route started at Sevenoaks then went through East Malling, Yalding, Staplehurst, three chimneys and back to Sevenoaks. The Kent Cyclo Sportive event was organised by the Rotary Club of Sevenoaks and saw about 700 people saddle up to take part.
 
Mr Robertson added: “The rotary club organisers were real stars and there were dozens of people who gave up their Sunday to run it to help raise more funds.”
 
It’s not too late
to give Alasdair some sponsorship money, simply visit www.justgiving.com/alasdairrobertson		  
 
Age Concern Maidstone is pleased to announce that we will be launching a Disability Travel Voucher scheme from the first of September with the support of Maidstone Borough Council.  We will be able to assist residents of the Borough who qualify for a bus pass but due to severe mobility impairment are unable to make use of the existing bus service.
 
Mrs Pat Thomas, Chairman of Age Concern Maidstone stated ‘The aim of the project is to increase the independence, choice and mobility for Maidstone Borough residents who have difficulty walking. This will enable them to access services and activities within the community.’
 
Chris Garland, Leader of Maidstone council, said: “The Government’s new national bus pass is fine for most people.  But this new local scheme, run by Age Concern, and funded and fully supported by Maidstone Borough Council, fills the gap for some of our most severely disabled residents who can't use buses.  This scheme allows the council to help those most in need of our help.”
 
If you are in receipt of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance or have severe problems walking and are able to provide evidence of this then you will be entitled to apply for the vouchers. The vouchers will have a monetary value of two pounds and these will be able to be used as a form of payment on those taxis and community transport providers participating in the scheme.
 
For application forms and further details of the scheme please contact Linda Amuro at Age Concern Maidstone on Maidstone 753 618 from the 1st September 2008		  
 

The wheels are in motion for disabled people in Maidstone
A new website giving disabled people an in depth guide to the town will be up and running in six months.
 
The site will be on the borough council’s website as well as that of the company who have been drafted in to undertake the research — DisabledGo.
Research will be starting soon for the web page which will provide access information to a number of businesses and services in Maidstone. All the information will be collected and updated by the people visiting the town centre venues.
 
Those who use the service can find out if a restaurant has an accessible toilet, if a theatre has audio described performances, if a hotel has flashing or vibrant fire alarms or even if a bar plays background music. DisabledGo have been funded by Maidstone Borough Council to carry out the research.
 
Disabled people will be able to look at it before travelling into town and see what facilities cater for them. It will hold information on each business including its address, telephone number, fax number, email address, website address, opening and closing times, a picture, parking, outside access, reception space, inside access, other floors, toilets, restaurant/bar facilities and any additional information felt necessary.
 
Maidstone’s DisabledGo campaign will have the free and easy-to-use website up and running within the next six months. Simply visit www.disabledgo.info.
 
General manager at DisabledGo, Anna Borthwick, said: “DisabledGo is delighted to be working in partnership with Maidstone Borough Council to produce an access guide to the area. The first stage of the process, the consultation event, has been held and DisabledGo would welcome further feedback from local people regarding what venues they would like to see included in the guide. Our website currently covers more than 55 areas across the UK and we feel Maidstone will be a great addition.”

  
 
Cabinet Bulletin  
 
 

It’s a question of communication for Maidstone council
Maidstone people are being asked for their views about communication with the council. Maidstone Borough Council has posted a draft strategy on its website, www.digitalmaidstone.co.uk, for people to complete.

Everyone who responds will be entered into a free prize draw to win a family ticket to see this year’s panto — Jack and the Beanstalk. 

The council wants to know how people find out about its services and how they'd like to find out about them in the future. Questions include how well informed do you feel about certain services, where do you find out about services, how would you prefer to find out about services and changes to services, how would you prefer to contact the council and if you use the website what would you like to be able to do.

Cllr Chris Garland, leader of Maidstone council said:
   “We want to improve the way we communicate with people and that includes listening and acting on what they say. We want to hear from people who have had good and not so good experiences with the council."

All comments must be received by Friday, October 10, 2008.
Cllr Garland added:
    “When we have received all of the questionnaire answers we will be considering the comments made and take on board what is said.”

  
 
We’ve moved and it’s time for a change

Maidstone council’s new temporary reception on the upper level of The Mall Chequers, Maidstone is now open.

The new reception, which has been open since Monday (June 16), replaces the council’s receptions at Tonbridge Road and London House. It is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday to Friday and on Thursdays it will stay open until 8pm.

The council’s office staff has also moved to the old Stoneborough House building, which has been refurbished and renamed Maidstone House. The new office is highly sustainable and includes controlled lighting zones, an eco-friendly bio-fuel boiler and a green roof, as well as many more environmentally friendly aspects.

The temporary reception will be paid for entirely at the landlord’s expense because of a delay in completing the Gateway building. The temporary reception and the Gateway, which will open in the Autumn, are both at the heart of the town centre. They should be more convenient for most council customers, providing all of the council’s services for the first time at one location. The new Gateway partnership with Kent County Council will provide access to Maidstone council and county council services and many other public and community services.

The council will rent the new offices from The Mall Chequers meaning it can dispose of its existing offices. The tourist information will remain at the Town Hall.

Information is also available on the council's website:
www.digitalmaidstone.co.uk 

  
 
Ahoy — River Festival is back for the next 3 years

Maidstone’s River Festival is to set sail for the next three years, thanks to a cash injection from Maidstone Borough Council.

Earlier this year the event was in doubt, but the volunteer festival committee recently decided to press ahead with a festival. Maidstone council has decided to increase its financial backing for the event, which is now its 29th year.
At a meeting on Wednesday (June 11) the cabinet decided to increase the council’s grant from £4,160 to £10,000 this year. The river festival is also set to receive £10,000 in each of the following two years. The grants will be subject to a service level agreement between the council and the festival organisers and a full event management plan.

River Festival chairman David Knight, said: “I’m delighted with the increased financial backing from Maidstone Borough Council. As a voluntary organisation we depend on contributions by local organisations and businesses and this funding will go a long way to help stage the county town’s flagship entertainment event.”

This year’s festival is on Saturday, July 26 and will be one of Kent’s largest free events. The main activities will start at noon led by the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Denise Joy, and David Knight. Throughout the day there will be a raft race, prizes for the best dressed boats, an illuminated boat display and to finish the night off, a firework finale.

Entertainment will include music on stages next to St Peter’s Bridge and on a barge opposite Hobbycraft; a fairground at the Lockmeadow Centre, off Barker Road and art workshops at Hermitage Millennium Amphitheatre, located opposite Lockmeadow.  Maidstone Museum will be holding activities to celebrate its 150th birthday and the Mandy Ellen School of Performing Arts will be showcasing their talents behind Archbishops’ Palace — plus much more.

Leader of the council, Cllr Chris Garland said: “We promised Maidstone would be more fun – and this is just the start. It’s good news for the town that the River Festival will be a regular feature once more and we are hoping this year’s will be bigger and better. The river festival committee does a fantastic job and I am pleased that we can work together to safeguard this important event for Maidstone.”
 
Information is also available on the council's website:
www.digitalmaidstone.co.uk 

  
 
Improving our services — online survey

Please complete our online survey and help us to improve our services to you.

Simply follow the link below:
www.digitalmaidstone.co.uk